Vitamins and You: Which Ones Should You Take?

Vitamins and dietary supplements are a $20 billion industry, and according to industry data, about half of all adult Americans take a daily multivitamin, but medical experts have questioned whether they really do any good.

For most people, eating a well-balanced diet from all the food groups is the best way to ensure you get the vitamins you need, Besser said.

Besser himself doesn't take vitamins.

"I eat a very balanced diet," he said, adding that "not everyone falls into that category."

Besser favors a balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, which, he said, provides him with all the nutrients he needs, including those he wouldn't get from supplements. He also doesn't recommend vitamins for his patients who have a well-balanced diet and aren't in any particular risk groups.

But, he added, the decision to take vitamins should be made after a patient has discussed his or her particular health needs with a doctor.

Doctors will consider the health, diet and age of a patient, and when those factors are taken into account, some people will need to take vitamins, Besser said.

In older people, the skin loses its ability to make vitamin D, so those who are older and who live in northern climates should consult with their doctors about whether they might need a vitamin D supplement.